Elfrid Payton (left) of Orlando Magic grabs a rebound against the Dallas Mavericks’ Zaza Pachulia in their NBA game in Orlando, Florida (USA), on Friday. The Magic won 110-104. (Photo: AP )
Elfrid Payton (left) of Orlando Magic grabs a rebound against the Dallas Mavericks’ Zaza Pachulia in their NBA game in Orlando, Florida (USA), on Friday. The Magic won 110-104. (Photo: AP )
Damian Lillard scored a career-high 51 points and the Portland Trail Blazers routed defending NBA champions Golden State 137-105 on Friday, inflicting only the Warriors’ fifth loss of the season.
It was the worst loss by defending NBA champions since the Chicago Bulls ripped Miami by 42 points in the opener of the 2006-07 campaign.
The Warriors, known for their defensive skill as well as scoring depth, had not surrendered so many points in any game over the past two seasons.
“It was a lot of fun,” Lillard said. “We were able to get out and run. We were hitting guys on cuts, making the extra pass and playing good defense. It was a fast-paced game. It’s a lot of fun to watch and a lot of fun to be a part of a game like that,” he added Lillard made 18-of-28 shots from the floor, including 9-of-12 from 3-point range, and contributed seven assists and six steals as the Trail Blazers won their fourth game in a row and 13th in 16 games.
“He was phenomenal,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said of Lillard. “He looked great out there.” The Warriors are chasing the all-time best record in league history, the 72-10 mark of the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls. But they fell to 48-5 in their first game after a week off for the NBA All-Star Game.
Britain’s Luol Deng scored a season-high 30 points on 11-of-17 shooting from the floor and also contributed 11 rebounds and four steals to spark Miami past host Atlanta 115-111.
In another match, Tony Parker scored 25 points to lead San Antonio over the Los Angeles Lakers 119-113 despite 25 from Kobe Bryant in a losing cause.
Meanwhile, Nikola Vucevic had 21 points and 12 rebounds to lead Orlando over Dallas 110-104.
Brooklyn big man Brook Lopez matched a season-high with 33 points and the Nets beat the New York Knicks 109-98 in their first game under new general manager Sean Marks of New Zealand.
